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Analysis

Has creative destruction become more destructive?

Analysis

Has creative destruction become more destructive?

Pianos and horses were big business about a hundred years ago, now it’s mobile phones and artificial intelligence. Nigel Pinkerton examines the impact of automation and technology on the job market.
Wed 26 Aug 2015Nigel Pinkerton🕓 3 min
Analysis

Lifestyle the main draw card for small regions

Analysis

Lifestyle the main draw card for small regions

During my time at Waikato University in the early 2000s I almost majored in Geography, before changing focus to Economics.  At that time, there was a lot of concern about “urban sprawl” and the fact that prime agricultural land was being gobbled up by development.  Lifestyle blocks were perhaps the biggest concern.  Some of the academic staff seemed to think that all the farmland within 30 minutes’ drive of Hamilton was destined to be carved up for lawns and gardens.
Fri 1 May 2015Nigel Pinkerton🕓 4 min
Analysis

Should we ban fireworks?

Analysis

Should we ban fireworks?

Fireworks provide a lot of fun and entertainment to many New Zealanders, the majority of whom are largely responsible and considerate consumers. So rather than rehashing the same tired debate about "to ban or not to ban", let’s have a more intelligent debate about sensible regulations to minimise any harm caused by enjoying fireworks.
Fri 9 Jan 2015Nigel Pinkerton🕓 5 min
Analysis

Productivity and the internet of things

Analysis

Productivity and the internet of things

If you have been around any IT professionals lately or read the technology pages you may have heard a lot about the "internet of things". What if, in five or ten years’ time you woke up and realised that your devices were looking after you? What would you do with all that time?
Fri 3 Oct 2014Nigel Pinkerton🕓 3 min
Analysis

Please don’t force me to save

Analysis

Please don’t force me to save

According to a Horizon poll, commissioned by the Financial Services Council (FSC), 41% of us feel we need to be forced to save. Isn’t it great then that we have a scheme like KiwiSaver which effectively compels us to save once enrolled? But many want to go further, forcing people like myself who have made a conscious decision not to be in KiwiSaver to join anyway.
Fri 6 Jun 2014Nigel Pinkerton🕓 3 min
Analysis

Why Hollywood is losing its grip on my generation

Analysis

Why Hollywood is losing its grip on my generation

I can count the number of times I’ve been to the cinema during my adult life on one hand. I couldn’t pass up a peak at Avatar and all its promised 3D glory. Then there have been a couple of times when I’ve been given or won tickets. But it’s not often I feel the urge to pay top-dollar to have kids kick the back of my seat, people eat loudly beside me, and teenagers talk right through the movie.
Fri 27 Jul 2012Nigel Pinkerton🕓 4 min
Analysis

Lessons from past ideas about the future

Analysis

Lessons from past ideas about the future

Hollywood’s depictions of the future have a habit of being wildly off the mark. We know that the world didn’t end in 2000 and machines haven’t become sentient and enslaved the human race. As yet we haven’t succumbed to viruses, asteroids, zombies, or environmental catastrophe. But the good news is that in a couple of years we will all be flying to work.
Fri 29 Jun 2012Nigel Pinkerton🕓 4 min
Analysis

Burn baby burn

Analysis

Burn baby burn

As winter approaches, I begin to miss my old wood burner. Somehow heat pumps just aren’t the same, and gas is expensive if you only use it for heating. But now that I’m a city dweller, where would I get my firewood from?
Fri 4 May 2012Nigel Pinkerton🕓 4 min
Analysis

Dog owners right to question registration fees

Analysis

Dog owners right to question registration fees

I’m a dog owner, and I don’t have much time for cats. Growing up, cats were for company and dogs for working on the farm, so why the dislike of cats? They foul my lawn and garden, they drive out native birds, and I’ve had blood drawn by an angry cat on more than one occasion.
Fri 2 Mar 2012Nigel Pinkerton🕓 4 min
Analysis

How you tax changes people’s behaviour

Analysis

How you tax changes people’s behaviour

I’d like to think I’m handy with a hammer, and since becoming a home owner there have been plenty of projects to keep me occupied. Like most DIYers, a big part of my motivation is saving money. On occasion I’ve even taken time off work to finish projects, but does this make financial sense? The short answer is yes, it can make very good sense.
Fri 3 Feb 2012Nigel Pinkerton🕓 4 min